The Divinity Saga: Part I

Wicked Ways

The next morning I woke up to Atia on the phone with Ava. My throat started to sting the second I opened my eyes. I laid there in agony waiting for her to notice I was awake. I felt like my skin was on fire and it was impossible for me to swallow. I could hear Ava's high pitched voice through the phone.  I laid there and listened as hard as I could. They were  talking about me. 

"Hey Ava, I'll call you back." She ended the call and looked over at me. “Do you want to go to my house and feed? No ones home.” She smiled wide.

“Sure.” My voice cracked.

I struggled to my feet and led Atia out of the house. The sun burned my sore eyes as we walked down the front steps. Her car was parked beside mine. It was a black BMW with tinted windows. As I climbed into her passenger seat, coconut mango air freshener filled my senses. 

I watched her speed down the streets I knew by heart. She lived an equal distance between Chrissy and I. As we entered her driveway my eyes locked on her breathtaking home. I knew Ava had money, enough to wave it around like it was a magical wand, but I had no idea the true extent.

As soon as she opened the front door I could smell the blood in the fridge. It was so strong that it made my knees quiver. Atia guided me into the living room to await her return. Small trembles traveled through my body that quickly became complete shudders as I heard noises from outside. I could feel my fangs cutting through my gums trying to make their entrance. I couldn't act like this, not here. What was setting me off?

“Hey Ray” Ava smiled as she walked through the front door. 

 I immediately placed my hand over my lips and felt my aching teeth.  I could hear Ava's strong heartbeat over mine and the rush of blood pumping her veins. 

“What’s wrong with you?” She frowned.

"Stay back." Tears streamed down my face as I fought the urge to pull her to the ground. 

 “Seriously Ray, Are you okay?” She walked closer to me.

I heard Atia walk into the living room and I closed my eyes in shame.

“Ava, Leave. Now!” Atia yelled. 

“I’m sorry.” She cried out before running back outside.

Atia ran to the kitchen and was back with a full cup of blood in a split second. 

I didn’t hesitate, I finished within a few seconds. My fangs disappeared but I could still smell Ava. Her scent was all over this house. I started to shake again. I wanted more than that cup of blood. I wanted human blood.  I wanted Ava. It broke my heart to admit that, but I felt my fangs peek from behind my lips  just from the thought. These bottles weren’t satisfying me. I needed more. 

I got up and ran into the kitchen.  I could feel Atia following after me. I opened the fridge and grabbed as many silver bottles I could fit in my arms. She watched me as I unscrewed all the caps and sucked them dry in hopes my hunger would subside but it only made me feel sick to my stomach.

“I need something else.” I groaned. 

“Not humans. You can’t.” She cut off my thought.

“Why not?” I asked frustrated.

 “Because once you start you can’t stop.” She warned.

I didn’t want to stop, I wanted to kill every person I came in contact with. All I could think about was human blood, how it would taste, how it would make me feel, how hungry I was. I couldn’t help but think it was the answer to all my problems. I needed something to make my pain go away. All I could think about was my unhappiness, confusion and hunger. I couldn’t even focus on Atia even though she was standing right in front of me. It was like a state of shock. I couldn’t believe what I was becoming. 

“Please, before you go down that road let me stop you. You don’t know the feeling - the feeling of ripping into an innocent person and destroying them. It’s beyond words. You taste everything you expected it to be and you hate yourself for loving it but you can't stop. Trust me. Once you flip the switch,You shut off your empathy, your humanity, and ignite your inner killer. It  is almost impossible to come back from that, so please, just let me help you.” She begged me.

“I- I gotta go Atia. I’m sorry.” I rushed out the door and ran home.

I wasn’t strong enough for this. What part didn’t she get? She said it herself, She couldn’t resist. So why did she expect me to? It was hard enough for me to come to terms with what I was, and now I have to live with this pain forever? 

I rushed up my front steps and quickly unlocked my door. As I stepped in I heard Elsa’s voice behind me. I stood there frozen as she entered my yard. I could hear every step as if they were bouncing off my eardrums.  I’m sure she was here to ask about Nana, they always went shopping before book club. Elsa was 18 and the youngest member of the book club. She only joined because her mother forced her to as a part of “mother-daughter bonding.“ They were known as the most obnoxious duo in Portland.

"Hey neighbor.” She yelled as she walked up my driveway.

As I opened my mouth to speak her scent filled my airways, Overwhelmed by her smell I immediately invited her in. 

“Why is it so dark in here –” She started. “Are you feeling okay?” She asked.

“Yes, just fine.” I smiled as I closed the door behind us.

“Can we get some lights?” She laughed obnoxiously.

I sat down on my couch with no  answer. I was trying to wait out my attack. I didn’t want her to see it coming. We sat there for hours. I listened to her talk about her boring little life. As her rant continued my patience wore thin.

“Do you have anything to drink? All this venting has me parched.” She asked as she walked to my kitchen.

She stood with her back against me pouring the last of my favorite lemonade into a glass. I quietly crept up behind her, my throat aching more and more by the second. It was worse than being with Ava. I had no attachments. I was going to kill Elsa. Tonight. Right here. And there was no one to stop me.

She placed the empty cup in the sink and turned around to return to the living room only to find me standing right behind her. 

“Rayleigh you scared me!” She yelled. 

“Sorry.” I smiled. 

She tried to walk away, but I blocked her path each time. I saw she started to feel uneasy but it only made me want to kill her more. I didn't want to think about the consequences of allowing my hunger to take over.

“I think it’s time that I leave” She said frightened. 

“I don’t think so.” I slammed her against the fridge. 

The glass shattered everywhere beneath us as I covered her mouth before the preemptive shriek could pass through her lips. This was the moment I was waiting for. 

I sunk my fangs in the side of her neck and immediately I felt relief. As if I just gave into my addiction. She tried to fight me but I was stronger. Atia was right, I could feel my self control fading away. I felt myself gaining strength, and her losing life. I sucked her veins dry in less than a minute and let her lifeless body fall to the floor. 

I walked away with the sudden feeling of no remorse. 

I walked into my bathroom and looked myself in the mirror. Blood covered my mouth and soaked my clothes.  My eyes were back to brown and my throat was soothed. This was what being a vampire was all about. The blood seeped through my clothes staining my skin. I peeled off my wet clothes and jumped in the shower. I rinsed off and watched the evidence wash away. 

Maybe that one feed was all I needed. I felt so much better now. I didn’t feel sick anymore. I felt strong, happy, and alive. I could finally go to school Monday. I was healed. 

After my shower I headed back downstairs. I walked into the kitchen forgetting what I just did. I looked down at my corpse. How to get rid of the body? I needed help. But from who? 

I grabbed my phone and quickly dialed Atia’s number. 

“Hello?” She picked up out of breath. 

“I need your help.” I admitted.

The line went dead. I think she knew exactly what I meant. I stood over Elsa’s body and waited. 

My phone began to vibrate. It was Chrissy, I decided to answer. I’ve ignored her for long enough too.

“Hello.” I answered as I stepped over Elsa and walked out of the kitchen.

 “Where the hell have you been?” She asked frantically. 

“I’ve been sick.” I lied as I sat down on the couch. 

“Bullshit.” She called me out. “You’re lying.”

"Actually, I'm not. I went on a cruise with Nana for a few days and I got really sick so I came home and was bedridden until today." I lied "But dont worry, I'll be at school on Monday."

I never lied to Chrissy before and truthfully, It didn’t feel right.

“Mhm and why weren’t you answering your phone before?” She questioned me. 

“Phones don’t work on boats Chrissy you know that.” I fake chuckled.

“Oh, yeah.” She agreed. She was so gullible.  “Did you ever get in contact with Atia? She was worried sick about you.” She asked.

"What do you mean?" My heart fluttered.

“When you were M.I.A, you were all she talked about. She was practically love sick the entire time. She was so desperate to see you I gave her your bag that you left at Stars so she could come return it to you." She revealed. "Anyway, We were ready to put up missing flyers, don't ever scare us like that again!"

“You’re so dramatic Christina.” I laughed. "But thank you, I'm fine now. I promise."

“If you say so, but if you dont show up to school Monday I'm sending every annoying groupie to your door until you do. I love you. See you then.” The line went dead.

“I love you too!” I smiled as I pulled my phone from my ear.

In less than a minute, my phone started buzzing again.

"Yes clinically insane bestie?" I answered.

“I forgot to ask, have you seen Elsa?” She replied. 

"What?" I asked caught off guard. "What do you mean? She's missing?" I tried to correct myself.

“Yeah, Her mom is calling everyone in the neighborhood freaking out. She asked if she was at my house, as if I'd ever hang out with that social reject. She talks way too much for me. Anyway, have you seen her?" 

“Nope.” I lied as I looked over my couch at her dead body. 

“I knew it, just thought I’d ask. K Bye.” The line went dead again.

I killed Elsa and I didn’t have one sad bone in my body. What was happening to me? It was as if this new being was taking over for who I really am. This was now my reality.

I heard a knock at my door. I knew who it was so I didn’t move a muscle.

“Come in.” I yelled.

As soon as the words passed my lips I retracted, the heartbeat didn’t sound anything like Atia’s. Who was it?

“Hey Rayleigh” I heard Monica say as she opened my door. Monica was Elsa’s mother. 

“Hey Mrs. Hamilton” I ran to meet her at my door. 

Mrs. Hamilton, similar to her offspring in many ways was always the type to get too comfortable and over talk herself. She had zero boundaries. 

“How can I help you?" I asked standing at the door, intentionally blocking her entrance. 

"Rayleigh." She laughed obnoxiously, "We're neighbors, not at the fast food window silly. Now let me in!" She gently pushed past my barrier.

I rolled my eyes and waited for her to state her purpose of being here. I knew I had to keep some form of respect, this was my Nana's friend despite my opinion of her. 

“Nice cushion” She smiled as she made herself comfortable on my couch. “Have you seen Elsa?” 

“No, I haven’t.” I sat across from her on the couch. Good thing she couldn’t smell what I did.

“Why is it so dark in here Ray?” She asked looking around for a light switch.

“I have a migraine.” I shrugged.

“Well, let’s just turn on the lights for a minute. I want to see those beautiful eyes of yours.” She continued to search.

I felt my heart sink. Of course my eyes were red again, I was fiending for her blood the minute she walked through the door.

She headed towards my kitchen where my crime scene was located. 

“What are you doing?” I tried to act relaxed.

“Looking for a light. Duh.” She laughed goofily. “Geez Rayleigh, what's with you today? Missing your Nana?”

She walked to the entrance of my kitchen and stopped. She felt for the light panel and turned them on. 

"Wait, Monica." I called after her.

“What is that?” She asked puzzled. 

“What is what?” I asked her trying to play it off. It was too late. I was busted.

“That.” She pointed to the floor.

It was a pool of blood, but there was no body. Where did she go? I tried to swallow my panic before she could notice. 

‘Think on your feet Rayleigh.’ 

“Oh,” I laughed. “Its food coloring, I was baking a cake for my best friend Chrissy’s birthday.” I grabbed a rag & kneeled down to clean it up, the smell was toxic, and I wanted it. My throat ached a little as I watched it disappear. 

“Oh, isn’t that sweet.” She smiled interrupting my thoughts.

“Yeah. Elsa knows her too.” I looked up at her. 

“Oh, speaking of Elsa. You sure you haven't seen her at all?” She asked again. 

“No. I haven’t been home, I just got here and was rushing to make the cake for tomorrow.” I assured her. “But, if I see her I’ll let you know.”

 I stood to my feet and put the blood rag in the trash can. Finally, I heard Atia’s heartbeat at the door. I let out a sigh of relief.

“Okay then. Can you walk me out?” She asked.

“My pleasure.” I said with full sincerity. 

As she walked out, Atia was already standing at the door. The butterflies slowly returned to my abdomen.

“Hi, Young lady. How are you? Have you seen my daughter?” She asked Atia.

I stared at Atia awaiting her response.

“I’m sorry, Who’s your daughter?” She asked. 

“Her name is Elsa Marie Flores.” She said proudly. “She’s in running for book club president”

“I haven’t. I’m sorry.” She answered as she continued inside.  

“Okay, then. Goodnight” Mrs. Hamilton said as she walked down the steps.

I stood in my doorway and watched until she left my yard and entered hers.

“Hey.” I said casually as I closed the door.

“Who is Elsa?” She asked as she locked it.

“That’s what I wanted your help with." I bit my lip.

“That’s the blood I smell? Where is she? What did you do with her body?” She asked me furiously. 

“That’s the thing. I don’t know where she is. I swear I killed her.” I explained. “But while I was waiting for you. Her mom stopped by asking about her. Long story short, I had to lie about how the blood was food coloring and I’m not even sure she bought it.” I stood there waiting for her to reply. 

She stayed silent, I stared at her as she closed her eyes. 

“What are you doing?” I asked her confused.  

“Close your eyes and listen for her.” She said as she opened her eyes. “Try and smell her.”

“You’re kidding me right?” I asked seriously. 

“Do it.” She demanded. “You can find her. Just try.”

 I tried my hardest, over my heartbeat and Atia’s. I put everything out of my mind and focused. Immediately I could hear a faint but fast heartbeat and I didn’t want to lose it. She was still in the house. I followed the smell to a hallway closet and listened closely. She was in there, I was sure of it.

Atia stood there silent as I slowly opened the door. Elsa was curled up in a ball whimpering. For a second, I felt bad for her but the smell of her blood erased that. I stood there trying not to attack. 

I closed the closet door and dragged Atia into the living room.

“I know you want to.” I taunted her playfully. "To feel alive again, strong again. – You again.” 

“No I don’t, I can’t.” She tried to convince me as I watched her eyes change to a deep red. I felt her heart beating faster, she wanted to kill her.

“Yes you can.” I walked to my hallway closet and opened the door. 

“What are you doing?” Atia asked frantically.

“It’s okay, this is what we were made for. Animals don’t help us. If anything they make us even hungrier, they barely even satisfy you. You feel energized for the moment and sluggish the next. You drink bottle after bottle but you’re always hungry. You need human blood to survive. It's who we are. Face it. If you tell me that you don’t, you’d be lying to me. I can smell the blood from your car, and it isn’t animal blood either.” 

 I could feel her mind changing, she wasn’t confused anymore, she knew exactly what she wanted to do, and she already had her mind set on doing it. 

I looked down at Elsa. I thought about the times we had, us playing in my backyard, sleepovers. None of that mattered now. I looked at her with my coldest stare, she looked at me so empty. I couldn’t stand torturing her anymore. 

“Do it.” I looked at Atia. 

Atia dropped to her knees and stared at Elsa. I watched as she pressed her lips against her neck and began to feed. 

She did what her hunger told her to do for once, instead of what her conscience did. I knew she wanted it. I know the pain she felt in her throat, I couldn’t imagine how hungry she was. I let her finish. 

Atia stood up and licked her lips. 

“What do we do with her body?” I asked her.

“We need to get rid of her for good. If anyone finds her body like this we’re screwed.”  She sighed.

“Well let’s burn it” I suggested. “In my backyard. I have a fire pit.” 

I’ve had that fire pit since I was 12, but we haven’t really used it. It was always snowing but this would be the perfect timing. The snow was barely even sticking to the ground anymore. 

“Get her body, we need to do it now.” She ordered.

I bent over and pulled Elsa's weightless body from the ground and into my arms with no struggle. I was astonished with my new strength capabilities. I could get used to this. 

“Where’s the lighter fluid and lighter?” Atia stopped me.

“Lighter fluid is in the cabinet under the sink, the lighters are in my room.” 

She headed for upstairs while I continued to my backyard. This was kind of tricky to do, I had really nosey neighbors. I walked over to my fire pit and dropped her next to it. I looked around nervously as I waited for Atia. 

I needed a souvenir from my first kill. I bent down, grabbed her earring, and slid it in my pocket. I wanted to remember this forever even though I already knew I would. I ran inside and grabbed plastic gloves from my kitchen cabinet to put them on. I carefully grabbed her cell phone out of her pocket and placed it on the ground. After I stomped on it, I threw it in the pit. I know I was a killer – but I was going to be a smart one.

I threw her body in the pit and waited for Atia’s return.

Moments later Atia opened my sliding door and joined me at the fire pit. 

I watched Elsa as Atia began to pour the lighter fluid all over her body, until she was drenched. Atia  pulled my lighter out her pocket and passed it to me.

“You do the honors.” She chuckled.

“My pleasure.” I smiled. 

I flicked the lighter on and threw the lighter in the fire pit. She went up in flames instantly. If there was a chance she was alive, she was dead now. She was unidentifiable. You couldn’t even tell she was in there. 

“Hey what are you girls doing?” My neighbor Todd peaked over the fence.  

“Nothing, just having a bonfire.” I assured him. 

“Oh, can I join? The misses is out for the night and I really am lonely.” He asked. 

“No.” Atia said as she grabbed my hand. “We want to be left alone.” 

“Fine then.” I heard him walk back in his house and slam the door angrily.  

I looked at Atia, and we both looked down at the dead body. This was something we did together, and she came running the instant I needed her. No one has ever dropped everything for me before. 

Swept up in my emotions I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer. We kissed passionately as our fire watched us burn and I loved every minute of it.